"How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the "Tomb of the Unknowns"?"

ARLINGTON CEMETERY

Jeopardy Question:

On Jeopardy the other night,

the final question was
"How many steps does the guard take

during his walk across

the tomb of the Unknowns?"
All three contestants missed it!

This  is really an awesome sight to watch

if you've  never had the chance.
Fascinating.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1.
How many steps does the guard take

during his walk across the tomb

of the Unknowns and why?

21 steps:
It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute

which is the highest honor given

any military or foreign dignitary.

 2.
How long does he hesitate after his about face
to begin his return walk and why?  

21 seconds

for the same reason as answer number 1.

3.
Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened

to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4.
Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder

 all the time and, if not, why not?  

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb.

After his march across the path,

he executes an about face and moves the rifle

to the outside shoulder.

5.
How often are the guards changed?

 
Guards are changed every thirty minutes,
twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.  

6.
What are the physical traits

of the guard limited to?

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb,

he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and
his waist size cannot exceed 30.

They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb,
live in a barracks under the tomb,

and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty

for the rest of their lives.

They cannot swear in public

for the rest of their lives

and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.

After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin

that is worn on his lapel

signifying he served as guard of the tomb.

There are only 400 presently worn.

The guards must obey these rules

for the rest of their lives

or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles
to keep the heat and cold from their feet.
There are metal heel plates

that extend to the top of the shoe

in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.

Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first six months of duty

a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV.
All off duty time is spent

studying the 175 notable people laid to rest

in Arlington National Cemetery.
A guard must memorize who they are

and where they are interred.

Among the notables are:
President Taft,
Joe Lewis {the boxer}
Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most
decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day

getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD

AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was
approaching Washington, DC,

our US Senate/House took 2 days off

with anticipation of the storm.

On the ABC evening news,

it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane,

the military members assigned the duty

of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

were given permission to suspend the assignment.

They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!"

Soaked to the skin,
marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm,

they said that guarding the Tomb

was not just an assignment,
it was the highest honor that can be afforded
to a service person.

 The tomb has been patrolled continuously,
24/7, since 1930.  

 God Bless and keep them.  

I'd be very proud

if this email reached as many as possible.

We can be very proud

of our young men and women in the service

no matter where they serve.

God Bless America.

No credit taken as this was sent to me in an Email Thanks Fred Mock

OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY.

He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Joe has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young
But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his likes again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

Pass On The Patriotism! YOU can make a difference.

If you are proud of our Vets, then send this to them.
You'll be glad you did.

God Bless America
And those that protect her..